Summer vacation or summer break is the longest break in the school year, usually the time between semesters when students move onto the next grade level. Summer can be as short as six weeks and as long as fourteen. Before it was a time for a break, camps, and relaxing in the heat, kids would attend school during the summer season. Children who lived and helped on farms never had summers off. They attended school during the most intense weather seasons and stayed home during the spring and fall months when crops were ready for harvest. Meanwhile, city kids would spend the entire year going to school.
Now many educators and learning facilities believe that the 2-3 month break period is necessary due to children developing anxiety, depression, insanity, and mental diseases. It also helped take the pressure of off children who deal with peer pressure, bullying, and overwhelming amounts of homework.
Ever since summer vacation was established, many activities became available for people of all ages to participate, the possibilities being endless. Whether a family trip, a summer job, or camp counselor, we are given a chance to explore many different opportunities and gain new experiences.
It’s important to make the most of your summer and be as productive as you can towards completing your own goals. If you’d like to go back to a regular sleeping schedule, exercise more, or just relax from the stressful environment that school can be, it’s all okay.
This summer take the chance to volunteer for a good cause. You can help yourself and others by offering your services as a volunteer. It’s important to think about others even though summer is most often a “just about me” kind of thing. If volunteering doesn’t perk your interests, you can also look or apply for a job. Summer jobs and internships early on in life are some of the best ways to get work experience, and most companies look to hire during the summer, so it’s the best time to apply.
Going abroad or out of town is always fun, but it is one of the more pricier options for how to spend your summer. If you’ve managed not to spend the entirety of your savings and checking account, a getaway could help you relax and could be especially fun with friends.
If money is tight, and going on a vacation else where isn’t an option, you might enjoy going to a festival instead. Festivals are a lovely time just to take in the scenic setting and live music around you. Summer can be the easiest time to be lazy and sleep in all day, but it’s also important to get outside every once in awhile and maybe even get in shape. If you want those abs or to get a better mile time, this would be the perfect time to focus on it.
Even if you can’t find any interest in working out, or socializing, you can find a new hobby or learn a skill. No matter how much we love to argue that watching Netflix for six hours straight is a hobby, it’s not. So why not try something new? Brush up on your cooking, or discover the inner musician within you. It doesn’t require much effort or time and doesn't have to be harder than looking up a magic trick on youtube.
Make a bucket list. You certainly have the time for this last suggestion, but it depends on how much effort you’re willing to put into it. Bucket lists don’t have to be long or detailed or crazy. They could be every suggestion up to this one that you want to do. Whatever you have an interest for, put it down and do your best to get it done. You’re going to regret much later in life for never taking that one art class or not going out to the movies with some friends. Do everything and make the most of it all!
If you haven’t been putting in much effort, will, or time in creating the best summer ever or completing anything you wanted to do, at least try to do it on July 26th, All or Nothing Day. For most of us who are going back to school early and finishing up summer school, this day is just what we need. It’s a last minute chance to change your summer recap from “Not much.” to, “Something awesome.”
Go Big or Go Home